First Timers

First Timers

Below is a guide to help get you started and on your way to enjoying a successful IRONMAN 70.3 race. If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact us portmacquarie70.3@ironman.com.

What is an IRONMAN 70.3?

An IRONMAN 70.3 is a triathlon event where athletes (individuals OR teams) complete a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and a 21.1km run, a total of 113km, half the distance of a full IRONMAN, (70.3 miles). All three disciplines are completed in that order consecutively.

For a complete list of IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events please visit ap.ironman.com.

Who can enter?

Anyone over the age of 18 can race. You compete in your age group and gender. Ages are calculated as of 31 December in year of the race.

Commonlyused terms and phrases

Aid Station – Stations on the course that contain various food and drink for athletes while racing, please see Athlete information Guide for the food that you will find on course.

Age Group Athletes – Athletes racing against those in their age group and gender. Athletes race as either Age Group Athletes or Professional Athletes.

Athlete Information Guide – A guide provided by event organisers with all event information you will need for pre-race, race day and post-race, it is important you read this information to ensure you have a good race.

Bag Drop – The area you will leave all items not required during the race. Volunteers will assist you with items you require us to look after for you on race morning. You will number your bag with the provided bag drop sticker. Note - transition is a bag free zone, anything other than your shoes, towel and equipment needed to complete the race should be left at the bag drop area.

Bottle Drop – Area on the bike where you can discard your empty bottles and pick up new bottles for the bike leg. Volunteers will hand you a full drink bottle at the bottle pick up point. It is expected that you slow down for them to safely hand it to you. You are able to stop if you wish but please be aware of other cyclists around you when you are either slowing down or stopping. Loose bottles can be dangerous so please take care.

Check In – All athletes are required to collect their athlete race packs, containing all the items required for race day. Check in is during specified times, see Event Schedule for details.

Discard Zone – Dropping/discarding anything from your person outside the official discard zones may results in a penalty or disqualification. The zones are clearly marked before and after each support station (Bike and Run Course). Discards include food and clothing.

Transition – A secure area for athletes and crew only. Your equipment is stored here during the event and where you change from swim to bike (known as T1) and then bike to run (known as T2). Your bikes are racked in this area during specified times.

Recovery – Area you enter once you have finished the race, there will be food, drink, and bag drop in this area.

Timing Transponder – Electronic timing chip worn on a Velcro strap around your ankle, this is used to provide your time to the timing team.

Timing Mat – Mats on the course that pick up your time when you cross them wearing your timing transponder.

Wave start – Some races aren’t suitable for a mass start so the field is divided into waves with designated gaps between them.

WTC – World Triathlon Corporation, owners of IRONMAN.

What do I need to compete?

A road worthy bike

Goggles – Goggles are not mandatory but are highly recommended. There are different types and makes of goggles designed for pool and open water swimming.

Helmet - You will need a helmet, and be wearing at all times when riding your bike. Note - It is illegal not to where this in Australia.

Running Shoes – All athletes must run in shoes, running in bare feet is not permitted. It is recommended that you seek professional advice to ensure you have the right shoes, as you will be running a lot of kms in them.

Spare parts for your bike - You need to prepare to be self-sufficient on race day, should you have a mechanical problem you will need to repair it yourself with your own parts e.g. inner tubes. Make sure you get your bike serviced regularly and practice mechanical work.

Wetsuit – It is recommended you use a swim specific full wetsuit (arms and legs covered) measuring no more than 5mm thick

You may also wish to get bike shoes and other training clothes however the above will get you started. If you are just getting started, it is ok to borrow these items to determine what exactly you like to use.

How do you find out more information?

Once you have entered the event you will receive monthly emails from us letting you know any important race updates.

It is important that you receive and read these emails as it is main method of communicating with you.

If you are not receiving emails from us and didn’t receive your confirmation email then please check your spam folder, if it is not there please contact the race office to check the email address you used it correct portmacquarie70.3@ironman.com.

Our Facebook and Twitter are also great place to stay connected before race day.

What happens race weekend?

It’s important to plan your weekend. You will race better if you are stress free! At IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie you need to Check In and collect your race items from the Glasshouse before the race on Friday afternoon or Saturday prior to race day. Please see the race week schedule for exact timings.

The Event Schedulecan be found on the website. Please take time to read this and take note of the timings.

What happens on race day?

As an athlete it is your responsibility to know the course. There are detailed course maps in the Athlete Information Guide and on the website. There will also be marshals on the course to assist, however but the responsibility to go the right way (and the correct amount of laps) ends with the athlete.

If it is known that you have not completed the course you will be disqualified. If you have any questions or are unclear about any parts of the course please contact the race office prior to the event.

If you have any last minute questions on race morning – the Event Information Centre is open at Westport Park, if you have questions in transition or down at the swim start a volunteer will be there to assist you.

Once you cross the finish line you will be awarded your finisher’s medals and our volunteers will escort you into the recovery area.

What happens in transition?

Transition is the area you will rack your bike on Saturday, before the race on Sunday. It is the area you will change in when going from swim to bike (T1) and bike to run (T2). There will be security in transition overnight on Saturday.

On Sunday morning before the race you will have access to your bike and to lay out the rest of your race gear including any nutrition you wanted to put on your bike. Please note there is no space available for bags or boxes, these need to be left at the Bag Drop located at Swim Start.

We recommend that you get to transition early in the morning, to ensure you have time for any eventuality.

Once you have completed the swim you exit the water and make your way to transition. Keep your wetsuit on, you may take it to your waist but do not remove it completely until you get to transition. Remember to hold onto your cap and goggles as this will be seen as an illegal discard if you drop anything.

Ensure your helmet is fastened before you touch your bike, push your bike out of transition to the mount line and then proceed to the bike course.

When you have completed the 90km bike course you will bike to the mount line that has now become the dismount line, get off your bike before this line. You will push your bike back to your numbered rack keeping your helmet fastened until you have racked your bike.

Once you finish the race and are ready to collect your bike (the event will specify when bikes are available for collection, do not attempt to collect your bike before this time). Enter transition showing your athlete wristband to collect your bike and any items. It is suggested that you check your items before you leave transition to make sure you have everything.

Think of transition at your 4th discipline. Practice getting in and out of your gear; be familiar with the entrances and exits so you are confident on race day.

What does qualifying for the World Championships mean?

IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie is awarded qualifying slots for IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, this event is qualification only. All age group athletes have the chance to qualify. There are slots available for IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

Qualifying slots are distributed between the age groups. The distribution of these slots gets finalised on race day based on the number of athletes who start the race. Those athletes who finish within these slots in their age group have the choice to accept their slot. If it is turned down it ‘rolls down’ to the next person at the Roll Down Ceremony. This continues until all the slots are accepted.

If a slot isn’t accepted in an age group that slot then moves to the next largest populated age group in the same gender. Athletes must be present to accept their slot between the times stated in the Event Schedule, there is no exception to this rule. Athletes accepting their slots complete a form and are required to pay their entry fee to confirm their slot.

What’s the Athletes Presentations?

When you're planning your travel for the event, make sure you factor in time to celebrate post event.

As well as taking the time to experience Port Macquarie, your plans should include the awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon.